Taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada, UFC 260 lit up the once closed-down city with a thrilling main card.
After the main card started, the action was wholesale and culminated into a gigantic knockout to crown a new heavyweight king.
Pros React To UFC 260 Main Event
Specifically, in the main event of the evening, we saw the long-anticipated rematch between heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic take on Francis Ngannou. First, the fight started patiently, with Miocic looking for the takedown, but a lot of eyes opened wide after Ngannou defended the first takedown. Then, the striking was just too much for the heavyweight great in the second round.
FRANCIS NGANNOU REALLY KNOCKED OUT STIPE MIOCIC 🤯 #UFC260 @espnmma pic.twitter.com/IXMTQBIIvu
— ESPN (@espn) March 28, 2021
Let’s not forget Stipe lost to DC. Stipe only defended his belt like five times to my 15. The man showed up at 230 to fight against Francis. He is no Jon Jones, I want this fight, excited to see what the UFC think it’s worth
— BONY (@JonnyBones) March 28, 2021
Bro I’ve gotten out of the way from much faster punchers. And I have a pretty solid chin. Let’s not forget fight IQ, reach, speed, distance. I’m not going to just stand there like stipe did. https://t.co/szqyJMtUjA
— BONY (@JonnyBones) March 28, 2021
Whoa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! @francis_ngannou did it! @francis_ngannou! The NEW @ufc Heavyweight Champion of the world is also the SCARIEST champion. Absolute best thing in the world that could’ve happened for the @ufc. Any event this man headlines will be BOX OFFICE. Must see!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) March 28, 2021
Keeping that shit in the states too. Undefeated! Undisputed! https://t.co/plZLJloYcf
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 28, 2021
UFC 260 Co-Main Event
Then in the co-main event of the night, we saw former welterweight champ Tyron Woodley fail to get back into the winner’s circle. Facing a very dangerous Brazilian in Vicente Luque, eventually, Woodley would succumb to the pressure and get submitted for the first time in his career. To pour more salt into the wound, the fight was also Woodley’s last fight on his contract.
In an Instagram post, Woodley posted his reaction to the performance.
“Shit was going really well until it wasn’t,” Woodley posted. “My camp pushed me in ways I haven’t been pushed in a while. I committed, and swore to myself I would bring the tiger out that earned me gold. I saw the opportunity for the KO and got too excited. Payed a big cost. I don’t regret my aggression as that’s what God created me to do. @luquevicente is a tough and humble fighter. Was an honor to share the cage with you tonight.”
Welcome to the elite 🇧🇷 #UFC260 pic.twitter.com/LUBuEgwojz
— UFC (@ufc) March 28, 2021
Simon says let Guillotine chokes go when someone passes to Side control !🤦🏾♂️
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) March 28, 2021
Looking forward to this fight babyyy! Fought both of these guys and both are just amazing martial Artest haha LETS GOOOOO!! #ufc #letsgooo
— Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) March 28, 2021
Respect between @TWooodley and @VicenteLuqueMMA 🤝 #UFC260 pic.twitter.com/7dr95pmLMd
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 28, 2021
“Suga” Delivers Against Almeida
Moving down the card, emerging superstar “Suga” Sean O’Malley took on the bruising Thomas Almedia. With the intention of outshining everyone on the card, O’Malley’s striking looked superb.
O'MALLEY THOUGHT HE HAD THE WALK-OFF KO 😱 @espnmma
Stream #UFC260 on ESPN+ ▶️ https://t.co/4eAgZOwM34 pic.twitter.com/0uzd22rsID
— ESPN (@espn) March 28, 2021
Holy smokes 😳 Beautiful work from @SugaSeanMMA #UFC260
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) March 28, 2021
I love how well O’Malley feints. #UFC260
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) March 28, 2021
Im betting the house on Thomas Almeida. Let’s see if I’ll be homeless by the end of the night ! #UFC260
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) March 28, 2021
“Fear The Maverick” Lives Up To Her Name
Following those three fire-fights, rising prospect Miranda Maverick put her physicality on display against UFC staple Gillian Robertson.
Maverick won but not 30-27 #UFC260
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) March 28, 2021
Congratulations to the undefeated in UFC (2-0) @FearTheMAVERICK !! #inhisimage #ufc #mma #WomensHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/djzjSDy17a
— in His image (@inHisimagellc) March 28, 2021
Very impressed with Miranda Maverick. Juggernaut. Comes forward so aggressive. Athletic. Gillian Robertson is tricky on the floor, has a lot of experience and can still win this, but Maverick pretty clearly just has another gear coming forward.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) March 28, 2021
Mullarkey Back In the Win Column At UFC 260
In a stunning rebound, Jamie Mullarkey pulled off the upset win against Khama Worthy by TKO in a mere 46-seconds of the first round.
Damn!!!!! Malarkey did that! #UFC260
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) March 28, 2021
CASHIN' CHECKS 🤑 @jamie_mullarkey
Stream #UFC260 on ESPN+ ➡️ https://t.co/gJy6oaUiVd pic.twitter.com/FLmDDo5PWU
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 28, 2021
Overall, the event delivered on finishes and wasn’t short excitement, UFC 260 will go down in the books as perhaps the pivotal event that caused a huge shift in the heavyweight division. In addition, it left fans with plenty of questions!
Keep it locked on AllAccessMMA.com for your latest mixed martial arts needs!